Crystal Palace 0 Tottenham 1 – Archie Gray's first goal eases pressure on Thomas Frank
Richarlison had two goals ruled out for offside in a nervy win that lifts Spurs up to 11th
It was by no means a classic, but it was certainly a valuable win.
Tottenham picked up a 1-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday — one that will ease a little of the pressure around manager Thomas Frank, even if the performance wasn’t much to write home about.
Spurs thought they’d taken the lead in the 17th minute, but Richarlison’s strike was ruled out after a VAR review for a Lucas Bergvall offside in the build-up.
That came against the run of play. Palace were on top for most of the first half but couldn’t make their pressure count, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Will Hughes missing the target.
And the home side were finally made to pay three minutes before the break, when Archie Gray turned in Richarlison’s flick-on at a corner.
Palace wasted good opportunities in the second half, too, with Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi both missing close-range headers in the box.
Tottenham were restricted to half-chances and failed to build any sustained momentum after the break, although there were some isolated moments of endeavour as Palace pushed for an equaliser.
Richarlison again found the net on the counter-attack, but the Brazilian’s effort was again ruled out for a VAR offside, before Wilson Odobert’s effort came back off the post and Rodrigo Bentancur had a shot saved by Dean Henderson in stoppage time.
Here, The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke discusses the game’s biggest talking points.
A first goal for Archie Gray
There has not been a huge amount to shout about at Tottenham in recent months, but one of the brighter things has been Gray’s run in the side. The 19-year-old has now started seven of Spurs’ last eight games, all in central midfield, and here he was rewarded with his first senior goal.
Just before the interval, Pedro Porro swung a corner to the far post, Randal Kolo Muani headed it down, Richarlison flicked it on, and Gray was there to nod the ball into the net. Maybe not a goal of the month contender, but a reward for Spurs’ hard work on set pieces, and for Gray being in the right place at the right time.
Gray was making his 60th Tottenham appearance (Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty Images)
Gray is still finding his voice as a midfielder, but he was busy defensively, making a few crucial interventions in Spurs’ box, and tried to move the ball forward when possible. The fact that he has been preferred in recent weeks to Joao Palhinha is testament to his commitment to at least trying to drive this team forward, which they desperately need, given how quickly they can look stodgy in possession.
What does this mean for Thomas Frank?
A win is a win for Frank’s Tottenham. They were not exactly good to watch, but then they have not been good to watch all season. They did find a way to get the three points, which, given the season they are having, is still something.
